Fewer migrants are arriving in Europe by sea this year, but the journey has become more dangerous, with a rising number of deaths, the United Nations' migration agency has warned. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 60,000 migrants and refugees reached European shores by September 15, 2026—down nearly 40% compared to the same period in 2025. However, the number of deaths and disappearances during these journeys has increased. Nearly 2,300 people died or went missing in 2026 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean, compared to nearly 2,000 in the same period the previous year. The Central Mediterranean route, which connects North Africa to Italy, saw the most significant decline in arrivals. Over 48,000 people reached Italy via this route in 2025, but that number dropped to over 21,000 by September 15, 2026. Despite the drop in arrivals, the number of deaths along this route increased from 844 in 2025 to 996 in 2026. In Greece, arrivals decreased by about 5,000 compared to the previous year, but deaths rose by 47%. Even in Spain, where overall arrivals have declined, the death toll remains high, with many migrants losing their lives during perilous crossings. The IOM's Director General, Amy Pope, emphasized that nearly all deaths and disappearances at sea are preventable. She called on European and global authorities to increase international cooperation to save lives, combat human trafficking, and create legal pathways for migration. The agency also warned that the true number of deaths is likely much higher, as many incidents—such as shipwrecks and disappearances—go unrecorded. This lack of transparency is partly due to reduced information sharing among authorities, according to a recent report. The situation has been highlighted by recent events, such as the Ceuta border crisis in mid-July, where at least 97 people died during a two-day period on the Spanish side of the border with Morocco. These tragic incidents underscore the growing risks faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe, despite fewer people making the journey. As the IOM continues to monitor the crisis, it stresses the urgent need for coordinated action to address the root causes of migration and ensure safer passage for those seeking a better life.